On Sunday, 7News talked with a Metro spokesperson about ways to avoid some of the crowds using the transit system on July 4. Metro is warning riders that at the busiest stations there could be up to an hour wait to get inside after the fireworks.

“We’re not worried about people coming,” said Metro spokesperson Kristie Benson, pointing out the crowds usually arrive throughout the day. “We’re really worried about when the fireworks end, everybody traversing on the stations at the same time.”

Benson offered several tips to avoid the worst of the post-fireworks rush:

• Wait around a bit after the fireworks before taking Metro home (although riders should be aware of when the last train leaves from each station – some leave well before the closing time of midnight).
• Walk to a station away from the National Mall. Metro expects Smithsonian and L’Enfant Plaza to be the most crowded stations after the fireworks, so walking a little further to stations like Metro Center or Federal Triangle could help you avoid the biggest crowds. Other stations Metro recommends: Archives, Gallery Place, Judiciary Square, Union Station, Capitol South, Federal Center SW, and Arlington Cemetery (although be aware Arlington Cemetery closes at 11 p.m.)
• Walk to a station where you know you won’t have to transfer. For example, a Red Line rider could walk to Metro Center instead of trying to use Smithsonian or L’Enfant Plaza, which don’t have the Red Line
• Consider using Metrobus – Metro says if you’re not used to using it you can use the agency’s SmarTrip app or wmata.com to plan your trip
• Make sure in advance your SmarTrip card has enough money on it to get to the fireworks and back. You will avoid getting stuck inside a station needing to add fare money to your card, and you’ll avoid having to wait in a long line at a fare machine when a station is crowded.

Last year Metrorail riders made 211,000 trips on July 4, Metrorail’s fourth busiest day of 2021.

This year Metro expects the number to be significantly higher than that, but at the same time Metro will be offering less service than normal. That’s because the vast majority of Metro’s 7000 series trains remain pulled from service as the NTSB continues investigating problems with their wheels that were exposed by a derailment last fall.

On Friday, 7News learned the small number of 7000 series trains that were in service were pulled from the tracks over what Metro said was a data entry backlog involving daily measurements made of their wheels. Benson told 7 News Sunday those trains would be back on Monday to help with the crowds seeing the fireworks. Metro has approval to run up to eight 7000 series trains.

Even though Metro will offer less service than in the past, Benson says they will do their best to run extra trains to get people home, and the National Park Service still strongly recommends using the transit agency.

“With all of the street closures and security measures in place, don’t even try to drive down here,” said Park Service spokesperson Mike Litterst. “Metro is your best bet.”